Social media is full of instant experts. I try not to get too annoyed with those who misuse history or don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to politics. You can tell that I spent way too much time on the Tweeter Tube last night but it has its rewards. Veteran reporter/pundit Walter Shapiro offered some astute commentary as we waited for Senator Sanders to speak:
This is beginning to remind me of McGovern giving acceptance speech at 2:00 a.m. Call it the Leftwing Dawn Patrol. https://t.co/sq1zGVgUNL
— Walter Shapiro (@MrWalterShapiro) June 8, 2016
I waited up for McGovern in 1972. But not Bernie tonight. The difference? McGovern was the nominee while Bernie is off in some fantasy land.
— Walter Shapiro (@MrWalterShapiro) June 8, 2016
I hung up my pundit cap for the evening too. The reports about the Senator’s speech were mixed but it sounded pretty subdued. The media is hyping the boilerplate red meat he fed his supporters but I think the end game is in sight. The candidate is going to have to come to terms with the fact that he’s lost. Losing isn’t fun. I’m old enough to have lived through losing 5 of 6 Presidential elections and the devastating Congressional blowout in the year of the contract on America, 1994.
I’ve had McGovern on my mind as well. He ran a great primary campaign but lost the thread at the convention. McGovern was an upbeat man and regarded his campaign as a great accomplishment. He was bitter after losing to Nixon but it faded. It’s a good example for Bernie Sanders to follow. He and his supporters should be proud of what they’ve accomplished instead of concocting far-fetched conspiracy theories. I’m hoping they’ll get past that and get on with the business of ensuring that Donald Trump will not be the first Insult Comedian elected President.